At least 60 people have been killed and 50 wounded in communal clashes in South Sudan’s Warrap State, according to local officials.
The violence took place on Sunday in Tonj North County, where armed men from neighbouring Unity State’s Mayom County allegedly joined members of the Lou Mawein sub-clan in attacks against the Pan Ariik sub-clan and Apuk Padoc community in Akop Payam.
William Wol Mayom, Warrap State’s minister of information and communication, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the attacks began on Sunday.
“Suspected armed criminals from Unity State attacked Pan Ariik cattle camps in coordination with rivals from Alabek and Majak Juer, resulting in the killing of 60 people and wounding of 50 others,” Wol said.
He said 37 members of the Pan Ariik sub-clan, 11 members of Apuk Padoc and 12 people from the attacking side were killed.
The minister did not provide further details on the circumstances of the clashes or say whether any arrests had been made.
Unity state officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
The violence comes days after parliament in Juba raised concerns over worsening insecurity in Greater Tonj. On 5 August, national lawmakers moved to summon the ministers of interior and defence and the governor of Warrap State to explain the government’s response to the violence.
Bona Malual, head of civil society organisations in Warrap State, condemned the violence and said continued communal fighting could undermine peace and preparations for the elections.
“People are asking why the government is talking about elections while citizens are killing one another,” Malual told Radio Tamazuj.
He called on the government to deploy joint security forces to contain the violence, investigate the killings and hold those responsible to account.
“We expect the government to deploy joint operation forces to prevent further attacks, control the situation, investigate and hold those responsible accountable,” he said.
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